Level



Nov. 10, 1942.

F. A. BABc cK LEVEL Filed Aug. 18, 1941 Mama Patented Nov. 10, 1942oNn-ED= STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 LEVEL 1 I Frederick A. Babcock, Detroit,Mich. Application August 18, 1941,; Serial No. 407,276

Claims. (01. 2352 This invention relates to levels, transits, andsimilar instruments in general, and more particularly to means foradjusting the level vial thereof. 1

: One'of the prime objects of the invention is to. design a very simple,practical, and econbmical, self-locking, adjusting means which cannot beshocked out of adjustment.

Another object is to design a level vial adjusting "meanswhich is ofsimple and substantial construction and exact in operation so as toavoid the objectionable qualities incident to the adjusting mechanismsat present in general use on instruments of this general classification.

A further object is to provide an adjusting means which is easilyoperable, which remains in its set position, and which is not affectedor shocked out of adjustment by rough handling.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat changes may be made in the form, size, propor- I tions, and minordetails of construction, without departing from the spirit, orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional, side eleva- I tional view of a levelshowing my adjusting mechanism in position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof with the telescope omitted;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, end elevational view 0 taken on the line 33 ofFig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the vial case, adjusting cone,etc., shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Inasmuch as the present invention relates to adjusting means only, I donot deem it necessary to describe the complete level and its operationin detail. The accompanying description is, therefore, limited to thisadjusting means and its relation to the asociated parts.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing in which I have shown oneembodiment of my invention, the numeral 8 indicates the horizontallydisposed level bar or housing preferably formed of hard cast bronze,said bar being hollow in cross section, and is substantially cylindricalin shape to provide a neat, compact structure.

The housing 8 is mounted on a vertical axis or spindle I0 and issupported on a tripod (not shown) in theconventional manner. An openingII is, provided in the upper wall of the housing to facilitate readingthe level vial I2, and a telescope I3 is rigidly mounted on said housingby means of cheek plates I 4, the lens system (not shown) being ofterrestrial or erecting order. This, however, is immaterial, as thetelescope, etc.,.forms no part of the present invention.

,The level vial I2 is mounted in a horizontally disposed vial case I5which is in turn adjustably mounted in the housing 8, said case beingformed with an outwardly projecting leg I6 which is pivotally secured inthe housing 8 by means of the pin I1, the opposite end being supportedby the adjusting mechanism, and in a manner to be presently described.

A supporting leg I8 is rigidly secured to the free end of the vial case,said leg being downwardly curved and terminating in a forked,fishtail-shaped end I9, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The adjusting means comprises a horizontally disposed screw 20 mountedin the end wall of the lever housing, and having threaded engagementwith a vertically disposed lug 2| cast integral with or secured in saidhousing.

A cone member 22 is rigidly mounted on the adjusting screw 20 and issecured in position by means of the pin 23, the bifurcated fishtail endI9 of the member l8 riding on said cone; and it will be obvious that asthe adjusting screw 20 is manipulated to move the cone 22 horizontally,that the vial case and vial will be swung about the pivotal axis or pinH to secure the correct setting-and as this adjusting means isself-locking, the setting is in no manner disturbed as occurs in theconventional instruments where lock nuts, or screws, etc., must bemanipulated, causing the bubble to move from its correct setting.

A spring 24 is mounted on the end wall of the housing 8 at the point 25,the free end of said spring engaging the leg I8 and exerting a downwardpressure thereon, thus holding the end I9 in engagement with the cone atall times.

I also wish to direct particular attention to the fact that ample spaceis provided in the housing to permit free circulation of air currentsaround the vial case to prevent temperature changes in the housing wallsbeing communicated to the level vial.

The mechanism is automatically self-locking, it is capable of the mostminute and accurate adjustment to insure absolute accuracy; the vial hasample ventilation; the design is smooth and clean; and there are nounnecessary parts or projections.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfecteda very simple, practical, and economical level adjusting means which iscomposed of a minimum number of parts, which is self-locking, and whichcan be readily manufactured and assembled.

What I claim is:

1. A surveying instrument including a main housing, a vial case having avial mounted therein, one end being pivotally connected to said housing,and a horizontally adjustable cone mounted in said housing and engagingthe free end of said case for adjusting said level vial when the cone isactuated. V

2. A level of the class described comprising a housing, a horizontallydisposed vial case assembly mounted therein with its one end pivotallyconnected thereto, a horizontally disposed adjusting screw mounted insaid housing, a cone mounted on said screw, a bracket secured to thefree end of said case assembly and terminating in a fishtail-shaped endfor engagement with said cone, said vial case being adjusted uponmanipulation of said screw.

3. A level of the class described comprising a housing, a horizontallydisposed case and associated vial mounted therein with one end pivotallyconnected thereto, a horizontally disposed cone adjustably mounted insaid housing, and a downwardly curved bracket attached to the free endof the case and terminating in a forked end section engageable with saidcone, whereby said case and vial will be adjusted when the cone ismanipulated.

4. An instrument of the class described comprising a housing, ahorizontally disposed vial case and vial mounted therein with one endpivotally connected to the housing to swing about a vertical axistherein, a horizontally disposed adjusting screw mounted in saidhousing, a cone mounted thereon, and a forked bracket on the free end ofthe vial case with its lower end engageable with said cone for adjustingsaid vial case as the screw is actuated.

5. An instrument of the class described comprising a housing, ahorizontally disposed vial case and an associated vial adjustablymounted therein, one end being pivotally connected to said housing, ahorizontally disposed cone adjustably mounted in the housing, adownwardly curved bracket attached to the free end of the case andterminating in a forked section engageable with said cone for supportingthe opposite end of said vial case, and resilient means mounted on saidhousing and engaging one end of said vial case for exerting a downwardpressure thereon.

FREDERICK A. BABCOCK.

